Calle Järnkrok sat helplessly on the Toronto Maple Leafs charter jet, unable to move. A torrential downpour in Toronto halted the Leafs on the tarmac following a 4-3 preseason win over the Ottawa Senators. Some Leafs grew restless as they sat for nearly five hours, unable to get clearance to take off and then land in Toronto.
It would be easy to assume Järnkrok was frustrated. The Leafs winger leans more on the delightfully curmudgeonly side. Conversations with him are free of small talk. Järnkrok has made a cheeky habit of shielding himself from the Leafs’ social team, too.
We saw it was your birthday, Calle 🎂🫣 pic.twitter.com/1kMnbpZED0
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) September 25, 2025
On a typical Leafs flight, Järnkrok would dart to the back of the plane and watch a show with fellow Swede William Nylander. No card games, video games or socializing for him. When you add in the fact that Järnkrok, 34, was the oldest player on the Leafs plane that night? And that he was, as he called it, out on a “field trip” with a roster largely full of non-NHL players? A prime candidate to voice his displeasure.
But he wasn’t frustrated at all. Instead, Järnkrok walked up and down the aisle, chatting with players he never would have otherwise.
That’s because Calle Järnkrok is playing with a new lease on his career.
“If Willie was there, he would have been pissed,” Järnkrok cracked about the lengthy flight delay. “So, it was good that he stayed back.”
Järnkrok found himself acting differently among his young peers. He was far happier to chat.
His change in attitude and health could conversely impact the Leafs’ final roster decisions with the start of the regular season around the corner. One of the lingering questions to be answered with less than two weeks in training camp is whether a pain-free and newly positive Järnkrok can crack the Leafs’ opening-night lineup. Four forwards are battling for what seems like one remaining spot in the Leafs’ opening-night lineup: Järnkrok, Nick Robertson, Easton Cowan and David Kämpf.
“It’s fun to be out there,” Järnkrok said, with a grin you don’t often see, “when you’re finally pain free.”
Järnkrok has not been pain free for most of this past year. He suffered a sports hernia injury in training camp in 2024. After playing two preseason games, Järnkrok started the regular season on the shelf. In November, Järnkrok had groin and sports hernia surgery. He only returned in March.
Järnkrok played just 19 regular-season games last season and logged only 13:14 ATOI throughout. For a once-dependable, jack-of-all-trades forward, those numbers were far more akin to his rookie season back in 2013-14.
Yet even when Järnkrok was on the ice to end the season, he suffered through intense pain. He wasn’t his normally resourceful and reliable self.
After the season, Järnkrok took his family to Greece for an early summer holiday. Even with the historical sights around him, Järnkrok’s family was content to sit near the pool. And secretly, Järnkrok was too. He felt continued discomfort just trying to take a mid-vacation jog.
Järnkrok quietly wondered how healthy he’d be for the upcoming Leafs season, his final of a four-year deal. It wasn’t until July that Järnkrok finally began feeling like himself again. The mental load weighing on him disappeared when his lingering aches did as well.
“It took a while for me to feel good,” he said.
Järnkrok’s name was a constant in offseason trade rumours. But he said he didn’t worry about getting traded. He was too busy enjoying moving without being burdened by pain.
And so, despite the numbers being stacked against Järnkrok, he is in this training camp with a new attitude. He knows how difficult it can be for players in their mid-30s, especially those with recent injury issues, to secure long-term deals.
That’s partly why he seems to be smiling more and playing free of worry, despite being on the bubble of the Leafs’ opening-night lineup.
“It might be age,” Järnkrok said of his smile and positivity. “It might be not feeling good last season and coming in now and feeling good. It helps a lot.”
Järnkrok isn’t just in the back nine of his career — he’s contemplating his clubhouse order to follow his round. It’s time for him to look at the game he’s played his whole life differently.
“I’m not getting any younger. So, I’m trying to enjoy it as long as possible,” Järnkrok said.
Leafs coach Craig Berube is giving Järnkrok opportunities to show how playing pain-free could help the Leafs this season. He seems to want Järnkrok to make the opening-night lineup.
While Järnkrok skated on ostensibly the Leafs’ fifth line at their most recent full practice, Berube vaulted him up to the team’s top line alongside John Tavares and William Nylander against the Montreal Canadiens in Saturday’s preseason game. Järnkrok looked agile and engaged in a 4-2 loss. He was as pesky as he’s ever been off the puck in the neutral zone and got in dangerous spots alongside gifted offensive players.
What does he have to do to beat out those also fighting for a spot?
Maybe more of what he’s done his whole career.
Järnkrok offers far more experience and versatility than any player on that list. He seems to have Berube’s trust in a way that Robertson and Kämpf don’t consistently enjoy. Järnkrok’s defensive presence and habits matter. He was not on the ice for any of the Canadiens’ four goals Saturday.
“I’m just happy I’m feeling good, and feeling good on the ice,” Järnkrok said, shrugging his shoulders.
Yet for all his versatility, Järnkrok undoubtedly lacks the offensive upside that Robertson, and maybe even Cowan, bring. Järnkrok maxed out at 20 goals, a career high, during his first season in Toronto. On a team with bona fide questions about where their production will come from, those offensive instincts should matter.
We’ll find out if they will. Berube will soon have to decide whether Järnkrok is needed in the Leafs’ top 12 forwards every night, or whether he will come in and out of the lineup. A less likely option is that he is waived and sent to the Marlies.
And yes, a final possible option could see Järnkrok shipped out via trade.
As of right now, Järnkrok’s efforts will be aided by his attitude. He knows he’s in a better place physically. That could help his case to stay in the lineup.
In the eyes of Berube, it is helping.
“Very good, in my opinion,” Berube said of Järnkrok’s training camp on Sept. 25. “He had a great first game in Ottawa. His work ethic and practice habits are exceptional. … He’s healthy.”
And so wherever Järnkrok finds himself, he’ll do so with a new smile. He played through immense pain last season. He’s thankful he won’t have to again.
Not even five hours on a tarmac will make him forget that.
“I know my game. I know I’m a good player,” Järnkrok said, before raising his eyes. “Especially when I’m healthy.”
(Photo: Chris Tanouye / Getty Images)